Disease burden of stroke and its subtypes attributable to low dietary fiber in China, 1990-2019.

This study aimed to assess the current status and changing trends of the disease burden of stroke and its subtypes due to low dietary fiber intake in China from 1990 to 2019. In cases of stroke and its subtypes attributable to low dietary fiber, deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDR), and percentage change were used to assess disease burden. Data were obtained from the 2019 global burden of disease study. Trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort analysis. Between 1990 and 2019, there was a declining trend in stroke and its subtypes, ASDR and ASMR, as well as the corresponding number of deaths and DALYs, due to low dietary fiber intake in China. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SH) showed the greatest decrease, followed by intracerebral hemorrhage (IH) and ischemic stroke (IS). Local drift curves showed a U-shaped distribution of stroke, IS, and IH DALYs across the whole group and sex-based groups. For mortality, the overall and male trends were similar to those for DALYs, whereas female stroke, IH, and IS showed an upward trend. The DALYs for stroke and IH showed a clear bimodal distribution, IS showed an increasing risk with age. For mortality, the SH subtype showed a decreasing trend, whereas other subtypes showed an increasing risk with age. Both the period and cohort rates of stroke DALYs and motality due to low dietary fiber have declined. Males had a higher risk of DALYs and mortality associated with low fiber levels. The burden of stroke and its subtypes associated with a low-fiber diet in China has been declining over the past 30 years, with different patterns of change for different stroke subtypes and a higher burden for males, highlighting the differential impact of fiber intake on stroke and its subtypes.

A Randomized Trial of the Efficacy of Three Weight Loss Diet Interventions in Overweight/Obese with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent, complex, heterogeneous, polygenic endocrine disorder characterized by metabolic and reproductive dysfunction that affects 8-13% of women of reproductive age worldwide. The pathogenesis of PCOS has not been fully clarified and includes genetics, obesity, and insulin resistance (IR). Oxidative stress (OS) of PCOS is independent of obesity. It can induce IR through post-insulin receptor defects, impair glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue, and exacerbate IR by reducing insulin secretion from pancreatic ß-cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Calorie Restricted Diet (CRD), High Protein Diet (HPD), and High Protein and High Dietary Fiber Diet (HPD+HDF) on body composition, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in overweight/obese PCOS patients. METHODS: A total of 90 overweight/obese patients with PCOS were selected to receive an 8- week medical nutrition weight loss intervention at our First Hospital of Peking University, and we randomly divided them into the CRD group (group A), the HPD group (group B), and the HPD+HDF group (group C), with 30 patients in each group. We measured their body composition, HOMA-IR index, and oxidative stress indicators. The t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare the efficacy of the three methods. RESULTS: After eight weeks, the body weights of the three groups decreased by 6.32%, 5.70% and 7.24%, respectively, and the Visceral Fat Area (VFA) values decreased by 6.8 cm2, 13.4 cm2 and 23.45 cm2, respectively, especially in group C (p >0.05). The lean body mass (LBM), also known as the Fat-Free Mass (FFM) values of group B and group C after weight loss, were higher than that of group A (p >0.05). After weight loss, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased in all three groups (p >0.05), and the changes in SOD and MDA in group B and group C were more significant (p >0.05). HOMA-IR index positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r=0.195; p >0.05); MDA positively correlated with percent of body fat (PBF) (r=0.186; p >0.05) and HOMA-IR index (r=0.422; p >0.01); SOD positively correlated with LMI/FFMI (r=0.195; p >0.05), negatively correlated with HOMA-IR index (r=-0.433; p >0.01). CONCLUSION: All three diets were effective in reducing the body weight of overweight/obese patients with PCOS by more than 5% within 8 weeks and could improve both insulin resistance and oxidative stress damage. Compared with CRD, HPD and HPD+HDF diets could better retain lean body mass and significantly improve oxidative stress damage. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: ChiCTR2100054961.

Non-SCFA microbial metabolites associated with fiber fermentation and host health.

Dietary fiber is degraded by commensal gut microbes to yield host-beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), but personalized responses to fiber supplementation highlight a role for other microbial metabolites in shaping host health. In this review we summarize recent findings from dietary fiber intervention studies describing health impacts attributed to microbial metabolites other than SCFAs, particularly secondary bile acids (2°BAs), aromatic amino acid derivatives, neurotransmitters, and B vitamins. We also discuss shifts in microbial metabolism occurring through altered maternal dietary fiber intake and agricultural practices, which warrant further investigation. To optimize the health benefits of dietary fibers, it is essential to survey a range of metabolites and adapt recommendations on a personalized basis, according to the different functional aspects of the microbiome.

The Postbiotic Properties of Butyrate in the Modulation of the Gut Microbiota: The Potential of Its Combination with Polyphenols and Dietary Fibers.

The gut microbiota is a diverse bacterial community consisting of approximately 2000 species, predominantly from five phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. The microbiota's bacterial species create distinct compounds that impact the host's health, including well-known short-chain fatty acids. These are produced through the breakdown of dietary fibers and fermentation of undigested carbohydrates by the intestinal microbiota. The main short-chain fatty acids consist of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The concentration of butyrate in mammalian intestines varies depending on the diet. Its main functions are use as an energy source, cell differentiation, reduction in the inflammatory process in the intestine, and defense against oxidative stress. It also plays an epigenetic role in histone deacetylases, thus helping to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Finally, butyrate affects the gut-brain axis by crossing the brain-blood barrier, making it crucial to determine the right concentrations for both local and peripheral effects. In recent years, there has been a significant amount of attention given to the role of dietary polyphenols and fibers in promoting human health. Polyphenols and dietary fibers both play crucial roles in protecting human health and can produce butyrate through gut microbiota fermentation. This paper aims to summarize information on the key summits related to the negative correlation between intestinal microbiota diversity and chronic diseases to guide future research on determining the specific activity of butyrate from polyphenols and dietary fibers that can carry out these vital functions.

Effects of Physicochemical and Biological Treatment on Structure, Functional and Prebiotic Properties of Dietary Fiber from Corn Straw.

Corn straw is one kind of agricultural by-product containing 70-80% insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). In order to develop corn straw dietary fiber, this study was conducted to increase soluble dietary fiber (SDF) yield and improve the structure, functional and prebiotic properties of IDF and SDF from corn straw treated by alkali oxidation treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation and the combination of these methods. The results demonstrated that the yield of SDF was significantly increased from 2.64% to 17.15% after corn straw was treated by alkali oxidation treatment + Aspergillus niger fermentation + cellulase hydrolysis, compared with untreated corn straw. The SDF extracted from corn straw treated by alkali oxidation treatment + Aspergillus niger fermentation + cellulase hydrolysis (F-SDF) exhibited a honeycomb structure, low crystallinity (11.97%), good antioxidant capacity and high capacities of water holding, water solubility and cholesterol absorption and promoted short-chain fatty acids production by chicken cecal microbial fermentation in vitro. F-SDF enhanced the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus proliferations of Lactobacillus plantarum when it was used as a substrate for Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation. It could be concluded that the combined treatments could increase SDF yield from corn straw and improve its functional and prebiotic properties.

Technological and Nutritional Aspects of Bread Production: An Overview of Current Status and Future Challenges.

Bakery products, especially bread, exist in many homes worldwide. One of the main reasons for its high consumption is that the main raw material is wheat, a cereal that can adapt to a wide variety of soils and climates. However, the nutritional quality of this raw material decreases during its industrial processing, decreasing the value of fibers, proteins, and minerals. Therefore, bread has become a product of high interest to increase its nutritional value. Due to the high consumption of bread, this paper provides a general description of the physicochemical and rheological changes of the dough, as well as the sensory properties of bread by incorporating alternative flours such as beans, lentils, and soy (among others). The reviewed data show that alternative flours can improve fiber, macro, and micronutrient content. The high fiber content reduces the quality of the texture of the products. However, new processing steps or cooking protocols, namely flour proportions, temperature, cooking, and fermentation time, can allow adjusting production variables and optimization to potentially overcome the decrease in sensory quality and preserve consumer acceptance.

Characterization of Functional Ingredients Extracted with Ethanol Solvents from Ponkan (Citrus reticulata) By-Products Using the Microwave Vacuum Drying Method Combined with Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction.

For this study, microwave vacuum drying (MVD) was combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction to compare the effects of different ethanol volumes on ponkan extract and to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total ascorbic acid content (TAAC). High-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) was used to analyze the flavanone contents and antioxidant activity of ponkan (Citrus reticulata) peels. The experimental results showed that the TPC and TFC increase with ethanol volume. Ethanol extraction (75%) showed significant advantages by increasing the TPC to 17.48 mg GAE/g (DW) and the TFC to 2.96 mg QE/g (DW) of ponkan extract and also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. The TAAC improved along with increased water content. Water extraction showed the highest content (13.07 mg VitC/100 g, DW). The hesperidin content analyzed by HPLC-PDA was 102.95-622.57 mg/100 g (DW), which was the highest among the flavanones. Then, the ethanol insoluble residue extracts were taken from the pectin with four different solvents, evaluating TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. The TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity of pectin are significantly lower than those of the peels. Combining MVD and 75% ethanol with ultrasound-assisted extraction in the pre-treatment process can effectively eliminate polyphenols, flavonoids, and other compounds, thus enabling the extraction of high-methoxyl pectin. The total dietary fiber (TDF) content of MVD ponkan by-products was 25.83%. Ponkan by-products have the potential for the future development of functional foods and supplements.

Catalytic action of alternansucrase on sucrose under in vitro simulated gastric conditions.

Alternansucrase, a glucosyltransferase, is currently used to produce slowly digestible alternan oligosaccharides or maltooligosaccharides from sucrose. These oligosaccharides are popular for food fortification to lower postprandial glucose levels. This study aimed to explore the enzymatic reaction of alternansucrase in simulated in vitro gastric reaction conditions. Under the studied conditions, SucroSEB (a model enzyme for alternansucrase) hydrolyzed the sucrose and transglycosylated the glucose to produce glucans, both in the absence and presence of acceptors. The preference of the acceptor was maltose˃ raffinose˃ lactose. The rate of sucrose hydrolysis was significantly higher in the presence of maltose (p = 0.024). The glucans formed during the reaction included oligomers (DP 3-10) and polymers (DP ≥ 11), both of which increased over time. These glucans contained α-1,3 and α-1,6 glycosidic linkages, confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR. They were slowly and partially digestible in the presence of rat intestinal extract in contrast to the complete and rapid digestion of starch. The glucans formed after a longer gastric reaction time exhibited higher dietary fiber potential (19.145 ± 4.77 %; 60 min) compared to those formed during the initial phase (2.765 ± 0.19 %; 15 min). Overall, this study demonstrated the efficacy of SucroSEB in converting sucrose to slowly and partially digestible glucans under simulated in vitro gastric conditions.

Current Research on the Role of Isomaltooligosaccharides in Gastrointestinal Health and Metabolic Diseases.

The intestinal epithelium plays an important role in maintaining the intestinal barrier and facilitating nutrient absorption. It also serves as a critical physical barrier against the infiltration of foreign substances from the intestinal lumen into the circulation. Intestinal barrier dysfunction has been implicated in the development of several diseases. Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs), which are a type of dietary fiber, possess multiple health benefits. However, there is limited information regarding their efficacy against gastrointestinal diseases. This review explores the therapeutic potential of IMOs in obesity, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hyperlipidemia, and constipation. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity models have shown that IMOs, administered alone or in combination with other compounds, exhibit potent antiobesity effects, making them promising agents in the treatment of obesity and its associated complications. Moreover, IMOs exhibit preventive effects against HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction by modulating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid levels, thereby ameliorating symptoms. Furthermore, IMOs can reduce IBD and alleviate hyperlipidemia, as indicated by the reduced histological colitis scores and improved lipid profiles observed in clinical trials and animal studies. This review highlights IMOs as a versatile intervention strategy that can improve gastrointestinal health by modulating gut microbiota, immune responses, and metabolic parameters, providing a multifaceted approach to address the complex nature of gastrointestinal disorders.

Dietary fiber alleviates alcoholic liver injury via Bacteroides acidifaciens and subsequent ammonia detoxification.

The gut microbiota and diet-induced changes in microbiome composition have been linked to various liver diseases, although the specific microbes and mechanisms remain understudied. Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is one such disease with limited therapeutic options due to its complex pathogenesis. We demonstrate that a diet rich in soluble dietary fiber increases the abundance of Bacteroides acidifaciens (B. acidifaciens) and alleviates alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. B. acidifaciens treatment alone ameliorates liver injury through a bile salt hydrolase that generates unconjugated bile acids to activate intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and its downstream target, fibroblast growth factor-15 (FGF15). FGF15 promotes hepatocyte expression of ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), which facilitates the metabolism of accumulated ornithine in the liver into glutamate, thereby providing sufficient glutamate for ammonia detoxification via the glutamine synthesis pathway. Collectively, these findings uncover a potential therapeutic strategy for ALD involving dietary fiber supplementation and B. acidifaciens.

Effects of KGM and Degradation Products on Appetite Regulation and Energy Expenditure in High-Fat-Diet Mice via the Adipocyte-Hypothalamus Axis.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM), high-viscosity dietary fiber, is utilized in weight management. Previous investigations on the appetite-suppressing effects of KGM have centered on intestinal responses to nutrients and gastric emptying rates, with less focus on downstream hypothalamic neurons of satiety hormones. In our studies, the molecular mechanisms through which KGM and its degradation products influence energy homeostasis via the adipocyte-hypothalamic axis have been examined. It was found that high-viscosity KGM more effectively stimulates enteroendocrine cells to release glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and reduces ghrelin production, thereby activating hypothalamic neurons and moderating short-term satiety. Conversely, low-viscosity DKGM has been shown to exhibit stronger anti-inflammatory properties in the hypothalamus, enhancing hormone sensitivity and lowering the satiety threshold. Notably, both KGM and DKGM significantly reduced leptin signaling and fatty acid signaling in adipose tissue and activated brown adipose tissue thermogenesis to suppress pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) expression and activate agouti-related protein (AgRP) expression, thereby reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. Additionally, high-viscosity KGM has been found to activate the adipocyte-hypothalamus axis more effectively than DKGM, thereby promoting greater daily energy expenditure. These findings provide novel insights into the adipocyte-hypothalamic axis for KGM to suppress appetite and reduce weight.

Hydrothermal extraction of dietary fiber from pearl millet bran: optimization, physico-chemical, structural and functional characterization.

Pearl millet bran is rich source of dietary fiber and several other bioactive compounds and is an unexploited by-product of millet processing industries. The utilization of pearl millet bran for extraction of dietary fiber can be an effective method for its valorization. Hydrothermal extraction of dietary fiber from pearl millet bran is a simple eco-friendly technique in terms of minimal consumption of toxic solvents, increased extraction yield, high purity and considered as an economically viable technique. In the present investigation, extraction and optimization of dietary fiber from pearl millet bran was performed using hydrothermal technique. The highest yield of dietary fiber (74.5%, w/w) was obtained under optimized conditions of water to solid ratio (20:1), temperature (90 °C) and time (15 min). The extracted dietary fiber from pearl millet bran was further assessed for its physico-chemical, functional and structural properties. The studies of functional and physico-chemical properties presented the water holding capacity (6.50 g/g and 3.99 g/g), swelling power (2.0 g/g and 2.05 g/g), oil holding capacity (4.91 g/g and 2.42 g/g), solubility (70%), total phenolic content of 4.24 mg GAE/g and 4.32 mg GAE/g, DPPH reduction of 86.6% and 83.9%, respectively. The results indicated that pearl millet bran can act as rich source of dietary fiber with health enhancing properties and can be utilized as potential food component in preparation of functional food products.

Microbiome-metabolomics-based insight into the protective effects of dietary fiber from sweetpotato residues on the high-fat diet-induced intestinal integrity damage.

Dietary fibers have attracted much attention due to their multiple benefits on gut health. In this work, the protective mechanism of dietary fiber from sweetpotato residues (SRDF) on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced intestinal barrier injury was investigated using microbiome-metabolomics-based approach. The physicochemical property analysis demonstrated a thermal stability below 200 °C and porous pectin-polysaccharide structure of SRDF with high in vitro functional activities. The biochemical analysis indicated that SRDF significantly ameliorated intestinal barrier function by improving intestinal morphology and permeability and inhibiting inflammatory response. Microbiome analysis demonstrated that SRDF significantly reversed the HFD-induced dysbacteriosis, decreased the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroides and enhanced the relative abundance of probiotics, such as Muribaculaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae. Metabolomics analysis showed that SRDF also significantly altered the metabolic profile in the colon, wherein the differential metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism (especially tryptophan). Pearson correlation coefficient identified the beneficial relationship between intestinal microbiome and metabolome induced by SRDF. The limitation of this study was that the mouse model may not fully replicate the human intestinal responses due to the difference between the standard environmental conditions and natural world. Generally, our results implied the great potential of SRDF as a functional food ingredient.

The role of bound polyphenols in the anti-obesity effects of defatted rice bran insoluble dietary fiber: An insight from multi-omics.

Considering the high abundance of bound polyphenols (BP) in whole grain dietary fiber (DF), this study utilized multi-omics approach to evaluate the impact of BP of defatted rice bran insoluble DF (RIDF) in modulating obesity. Mice on high-fat diet were gavage-administered RIDF, BP-removed or formulated RIDF. The results indicated that DF significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Moreover, hepatic lipid accumulation and damage induced by high-fat diet were significantly ameliorated with DF intervention. The presence of BP increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria g_Akkermansia and g_Butyricicocus, as well as the expression of butyric acid/propionic acid. Furthermore, the expression of hepatic lipids and lipid-like molecules was significantly decreased under the combined intervention of BP and DF, and this was accompanied by alterations in genes related to lipid, sterol, and cholesterol metabolic biological processes. These findings suggest that BP contribute to the anti-obesity effects of DF.

Effect on blood lipids and body composition of a high-fat (MUFA) and high-fiber diet: A case-control study.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of risk factors including abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. In Spain, according to WHO criteria, the MetS prevalence is shown to be 32% in men and 29% in women. The role of dietary habits is one of the main therapeutic strategies for the management of MetS but the most effective dietary pattern has not been established yet. This study aimed to analyze the effect of on body composition, serum lipids, and MetS components of a high-MUFA and high-fiber diet (HMFD). A case-control study was performed considering 40 cohabiting women. Participants were randomly assigned to HMFD group or high mono-unsaturated diet (HMD) group to receive one of the two proposed dietary interventions. All data (serum lipids, blood pressure, height, weight, body composition, and waist circumference) were collected fasting at baseline, 55, 98, and 132 days. The HMFD group showed higher decrease in waist circumference than in the HMD group. LDL-C dropped in both groups. Triglycerides in the HMFD group dropped during the intervention, but once the intervention was over, they returned to baseline values. The mean systolic blood pressure was lower in HMFD group. A HMFD from a weekly consumption of processed meat (Torrezno de Soria) deeply fried in extra virgin olive oil in combination with vegetables logged in a Mediterranean diet can improve MetS risk factors in healthy overweight women.

Comprehensive assessment of the anti-obesity effects of highland barley total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber through multi-omics analysis.

The impact of different forms of dietary fiber (total, insoluble or soluble) derived from the same source on health remains incompletely understood. In this study, the effects of total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber extracted from highland barley (HDF, HIDF, and HSDF) on combating obesity were evaluated and compared. A high-fat diet (HFD) was used to induce obesity in a murine model, followed by gavage administration of HDF, HIDF, or HSDF, and a comprehensive multi-omics approach was utilized to assess and compare the effects of these dietary fibers on obesity-related parameters. The results showed that all three dietary fibers significantly reduced body weight, modified blood lipid profiles, and ameliorated tissue damage in HFD-fed mice. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of mice feces showed that three types of dietary fiber exerted varying degrees of impact on the composition and abundance of gut microbiota while simultaneously promoting the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids. Specifically, HDF supplementation remarkably enhanced the abundance of Coprococcus, while HIDF and HSDF supplementation elevated the levels of Akkermansia and Allobaculum, respectively. Transcriptomic and proteomic results suggested the PPAR signaling pathway as a central regulatory mechanism influenced by these fibers. HDF and HIDF were particularly effective in modulating biological processes related to triglyceride and fatty acid metabolism, identifying Abcc3 and Dapk1 as potential targets. Conversely, HSDF primarily affected processes related to membrane lipids, ceramides, and phospholipids metabolism, with Pck1 identified as a potential target. Collectively, HDF, HIDF, and HSDF demonstrated distinct mechanisms in exerting exceptional anti-obesity properties. These insights may inform the development of personalized dietary interventions for obesity.

Improvement of insulin sensitivity by dietary fiber consumption during late pregnant sows is associated with gut microbiota regulation of tryptophan metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber (DF) consumption was reported to improve insulin sensitivity, change the tryptophan metabolism, and alter the gut microbiota. Herein, this study aimed to investigate the effects of DF consumption on insulin sensitivity, tryptophan metabolism, and gut microbiota composition in sows during late pregnancy, and explore the relationship between tryptophan metabolites and insulin sensitivity regulated by DF supplementation. RESULTS: Twelve sows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups (six/group): the low-fiber (LF) group, which was fed a basal diet, and the high-fiber (HF) group, which was fed the basal diet supplemented with 22.60 g/kg inulin and 181.60 g/kg cellulose. During late pregnancy, meal test, glucose tolerance test, and insulin challenge test were used to investigate the insulin sensitivity of sows, using the percutaneous brachiocephalic vein catheterization technique. High DF consumption resulted in improved insulin sensitivity, especially during the second and third trimesters, and promoted serotonin production from tryptophan. Additionally, plasma serotonin concentration was positively correlated with the insulin sensitivity index during late pregnancy. Moreover, DF consumption elevated fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, altered fecal microbial diversity, and increased the abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Alloprevotella, Parabacteroides, Roseburia, and Sphaerochaeta, which were positively correlated to plasma serotonin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: DF consumption improved insulin sensitivity during late pregnancy in sows, which improved microbial diversity in fecal samples and increased fecal SCFA concentrations, resulting in a positive correlation with plasma serotonin level.

Liberated bioactive bound phenolics during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation boost the prebiotic effects of triticale insoluble dietary fiber.

Phenolics in bound form extensively exist in cereal dietary fiber, especially insoluble fiber, while their release profile in gastrointestinal tract and contribution to the potential positive effects of dietary fiber in modulating gut microbiota still needs to be disclosed. In this work, the composition of bound phenolics (BPs) in triticale insoluble dietary fiber (TIDF) was studied, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion as well as colonic fermentation were performed to investigate BPs liberation and their role in regulating intestinal flora of TIDF. It turned out that most BPs were unaccessible in digestion but partly released continuously during fermentation. 16 s rRNA sequencing demonstrated that TIDF possessed prebiotic effects by promoting anti-inflammatory while inhibiting proinflammatory bacteria alongside boosting SCFAs production and antioxidative BPs contributed a lot to these effects. Results indicated that TIDF held capabilities to regulate intestinal flora and BPs were important functional components to the health benefits of cereal dietary fiber.

Dietary Fiber-Derived Butyrate Alleviates Piglet Weaning Stress by Modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway.

During weaning, piglets are susceptible to intestinal inflammation and impairment in barrier function. Dietary fiber (DF) plays an active role in alleviating weaning stress in piglets. However, the effects of different sources of dietary fiber on the performance of weaned piglets are inconsistent, and the mechanisms through which they affect intestinal health need to be explored. Therefore, in this study, sixty weaned piglets were randomly divided into three treatment groups: basal diet (control, CON), beet pulp (BP), and alfalfa meal (AM) according to the feed formulation for a 28-day trial. The results showed that both AM and BP groups significantly reduced diarrhea rate and serum inflammatory factors (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and increased antioxidant markers (T-AOC and SOD), in addition to decreasing serum MDA and ROS concentrations in the AM group. At the same time, piglets in the AM group showed a significant reduction in serum intestinal permeability indices (LPS and DAO) and a substantial increase in serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and expression of intestinal barrier-associated genes (Claudin1, Occludin, ZO-1, and MUC1), which resulted in an improved growth performance. Interestingly, the effect of DF on intestinal inflammation and barrier function can be attributed to its modulation of gut microbes. Fiber-degrading bacteria enriched in the AM group (Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Pediococcus and Weissella) inhibited the production of TLR4- through the promotion of SCFAs (especially butyrate). MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway activation reduces intestinal inflammation and repairs intestinal barrier function. In conclusion, it may provide some theoretical support and rationale for AM to alleviate weaning stress and improve early intestinal dysfunction, which may have implications for human infants.

Comparative Analysis of Structural and Functional Properties of Dietary Fiber from Four Grape Varieties.

Muscadine grapes are characterized by their large and abundant seeds and hard and thick skins that contain significant amounts of dietary fiber (DF). The current study investigated the chemical constituents, molecular architecture, and physicochemical attributes of DF derived from Muscadine grapes (Granny Val and Alachua) and compared them with those derived from Shine Muscat and Kyoho. Using a combined enzymatic method, the total dietary fiber (TDF) was extracted and divided into two parts: soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). TDF (mainly IDF, with a small fraction of SDF) was dominated by cellulose, followed by pectin and hemicellulose. In addition, Granny Val and Alachua had a significantly higher abundance of TDF and IDF compared with Shine Muscat and Kyoho. Moreover, Shine Muscat had significantly the highest abundance of SDF among the four grape varieties. Of note, IDF from Granny Val and Alachua exhibited a complex and dense texture on its surface, and notably outperformed Shine Muscat and Kyoho in terms of cholesterol, fatty acid, heavy metal adsorption, and antioxidant activity. Collectively, Muscadine grapes, i.e., Granny Val and Alachua in the current study, possessed elevated DF levels (predominantly IDF), and their enhanced bioactivity underscored their potential as a potential food ingredient for further use.